A good pilot, part 2



Yup, me in the Captain's seat in the flight deck!

Thanks for tuning back in for part 2 of "A good pilot."

This is your captain here... hahaha. Funny, and partially true.

So, yesterday I told you about my good pilots who calmed the outside air as we flew across the Pacific. Today, I tell you about the final part of our journey.

We landed safely at LAX at 9:45 pm. Our Captain comes on the overhead once again, thanks us for flying with Delta. Then he says this, "This ends our 10-day journey around the world. For the past 10 days we've basically flown around the world, stopped in Asia for a bit...and we'd like to invite you into the flight deck tonight. If you'd like to come, have your camera ready and we'll take a picture of you in the cockpit."

Really?! I knew they were good pilots from the experience during the flight but they even go ahead to invite any interested passenger in this huge 767 to join them in the flight deck and take some pictures? Wow!

In the spirit of 365, recognizing people being nice to others, I was excited to take advantage of this opportunity the Captain just presented me.

I got to the front of the plane and was surprised that the line wasn't long at all! I waited just a minute then was invited in. There was already another passenger sitting in the Captain's seat. The co-pilot, Pilot Fred, was sitting beside him and they were clearly talking aviation. From the conversation I gathered that this gentleman was in flight school and soaking up this opportunity to receive the advice from a true pilot. And Pilot Fred was happy to share.

In a short break of their conversation, I gently said hello and that I didn't want to interrupt but just wanted to get a picture of the flight deck. Then, this...

Pilot Fred: Sure. Pause. Are you guys together?

Gentleman in Captain's seat and April look at each other

April: (waving her hand as to say "no" non-verbally) Oh no, I just came in to get a picture.

Pilot Fred with a smile: Well would you like to be? I could marry you right here in the flight deck.

REALLY?! Not only did I appreciate my flight pilots because of their smooth navigation of a turbulent airway, but then he continues to offer me marriage?! Awesome!

Don't hold your breath, the kind gentleman and I didn't wed tonight. I mean, I hardly even knew him and he's still in flight school.

Wedding or not, it didn't take away from the fact that this quickly became one of the greatest flights I've ever experienced.

Thanks to Captain Andrew (who all the while bid adieu to passengers as they exited the plane) and Captain Fred. Hopefully our paths will cross again, and maybe then I'll take you up on your generous offer of marriage services.

I'll be prepared next time.

Good night to all and to all a good flight!



Flight deck: potential suitor's right leg in the captains seat. Captain Fred to the right.
Hahaha.



The flight deck, sans wedding.

A good pilot, part 1

Pilot Fred. He worked alongside Pilot Andrew.

Over the past year I've become more wary of flying. Growing up on the islands and literally flying on plane after plane to get anywhere, I'd always been the type of person that gets on a plane without even thinking about it. Planes are safe (and they really are) and that's all there was to it. I never gave a second thought to flying.

Until last year. I was a passenger that was on a flight to HI that was so turbulent that it made me, for the first time, really scared. And, the flight lasted for hours. And we were over the huge Pacific Ocean the entire time. It wasn't encouraging.

So now I'm not necessarily afraid to fly but I have a slight case, as I self-diagnosed, of airplane anxiety.

Which is why tonight, when I trekked across the Pacific Ocean once again, I was very appreciative of my good, informative pilot.  

Our flight was slightly turbulent from the very beginning, the fasten seatbelt sign that traditionally goes off after you reach your flying elevation, didn't go off for about an hour. Then it came back on after a short break and the captain announced that they'd gotten word that we'd experience turbulence for awhile. Fantastic. After a short time he came on again and explained that there were tail wings at 100 knots, head winds of 80 knots and winds coming from the side that was causing the turbulence we were experiencing. He noted that we'd elevated an additional 1,000 feet, slowed our speed to something like 500-ish miles per hour. He noted the effect this would have on our arrival time (not much) and that he anticipated it would make our flight smoother. Within minutes, he proved himself right. Thank you, pilot.

I thank the pilots of this flight because when flying all the passengers are really at the mercy of the pilots - and these pilots took great care of us and took the time to reassure us too. I always do better with more information and the information this pilot shared throughout the flight was very comforting. Never before had I heard some of the science behind airplane turbulence, never before had a pilot taken the time to share this information. And, for this frequent flyer with the slight case of airplane anxiety, these pilots calmed the air of a potentially long, bumpy ride!

And, they get even better. Check in tomorrow for part 2. Trust me, it's good.

Flying the friendly skies, again!

Last week I wrote about how kind and generous my in-flight neighbor was to me. I'm happy to report that this wasn't just a one-in-a-million interaction! On today's flight I was lucky again to be seated next to a friendly neighbor.

Today I sat next to a young woman from Nebraska. She literally said, "yeah!" when she found her seat on the plane. Naturally, I was surpirsed by her excitement to find her seat as we boarded a flight for 5 hours. After she sat down and we greeted one another (yes, I greeted her this time, pretty openly, thanks to my interaction last week) she pointed out her sister was sitting right across the aisle of us. Got it, the excitement was for being seated so close to her sister and 16-month-old nephew, not for finding her seat on the plane.

As we chatted she told me a bit about their story. She, along with her sister, nephew, and family, just spent the past week vacationing on Kaua'i. They had a wonderful, relaxing vacation! Then she said they were scheduled to fly home last night. They boarded their Honolulu to Phoenix plane without a hitch. Then they were told there was a mechanical problem. They waited for an update and ended up sitting on the plane 3 hours! Now, let me not forget the detail that they were on a red eye flight, so they sat on the plane from 11 pm - 2 am! The crew then informed them that they had to test something that they were fixing on the plane and everyone would need to deplane. But, leave your things, they said, you'll get on board after they run the test. So they deplane. Then they get word that things didn't go as planned and their flight was going to be cancelled. Madness ensued as all 250+ passengers on the flight had to get back on the plane only to grab their carry on items to then get off the plane. They said that they were in the airport until 4 am to get re-routed to Nebraska and get their hotel vouchers for the evening/morning.

So today, at 12 pm, a mere 8 hours after leaving the airport, they were back at the airport waiting to board the first leg of their flight. While yesterday they were just stopping in Phoenix, their new route took them to LA today, Minnesota overnight, then to Omaha in the morning. And she continued, she lands at 8 am then is scheduled to work at 2 pm that afternoon!

Needless to say, 365 reconizes this friendly family from Nebraska who, in the midst of travel madness, still have the energy and spirit to be friendly to others. Especially those who are still learning to trust the friendliness of flying the high skies!

Check back tomorrow for another fun travel post!

Help in the smallest of packages!

Help in the smallest of packages for a few reasons... First, my cousin was putting together a relatively small package to put in the mail. Second, she received some unsolicited help from a small bundle, my niece - a wonderfully helpful 17 months old!

I've been fortunate to spend much of the past two weeks with my young niece and all the while I've been amazed by how observant, attentive, engaging, and interactive she is. Yesterday, Kalyssa watched as Erica carefully put items in the box then started taping the box closed. Within a couple of minutes, Kalyssa grabbed the masking tape herself, started to unroll, then in her 17-month-old fashion offered to share the tape with Erica. Erica thanked Kalyssa, started to put the tape in place then asked Kalyssa to pat it down, which of course Kalyssa was glad to help.

I acknowledge, there is a certain level of attraction a blue roll of sticky tape has to a 17-month-old. I mean, who needs stickers after all when you've got your hands on a whole roll of sticky stuff?!  

I am always wonderfully amazed by children. When empowered and supported, every day is a new discovery in young lives. If only we could all live every day with such excitement and vigor!

Thanks to the children of the world who offer help with joy and to the adults who recognize and support their effort!


The joys of a roll of masking tape to a 17-month-old!





Please excuse the seemingly large pair of scissors within her reach.
She was attended to, I assure you!

 

Invite a friend to an activity you enjoy

Garrett, Lynn, Cade, and Kendyll



These are my good friends, Lynn and Garrett, and their kids, Cade and Kendyll. Hi Cade, hi Kendyll!

Lynn has been a loved friend since the 4th grade when we were joined together as Dandy Bears (our wonderful 4-H Club!). Through all these years Lynn has a been a solid friend - whether supporting me through tough life times or simply enjoying yogurt/cucumber homemade spa experiements together - Lynn is the comfort of a long-time friend.

Taking advantage of the beautiful Maui life, Lynn and Garrett have recently taken up Stand Up Paddling (SUP). Lynn says they get out as much as possible, making good use of their boards going weekly during the summer and going as often as they can since the school year started. 

Stand Up Paddling has been something I've been wanting to try and Lynn has always invited me to join. Today was our day - what a great way to start the new year!

In addition to simply being really fun and enjoyable, I loved stand up paddling with Lynn and Garrett today for many reasons. When we were on the water Lynn and I got to catch up on life a bit and I couldn't ask for a better environment to share time with a friend other than out in the calm, open ocean! Lynn was also a great teacher. Well, she's a great teacher by profession too, and today she was a great friend-teacher. All the tips she gave me before we went out really helped me feel comfortable and confident out in the water. She put me first many times - pushing me out at the start all the way until we were coming back on shore when she rode slightly behind me so she could tell me when the waves were coming. In addition to teaching me, Lynn and Garrett taught my two cousins, Erica and Alycia, who joined us this morning. It was their first time too! On top of all of this, what I enjoyed most of all is that SUP is something Lynn and Garrett have really enjoyed learning and doing and by taking me out today it was a great way to share in an activity they enjoy. That is really fun.

Thanks to Lynn and Garrett and thanks to their family, Cade, Kendyll, Lisa, Brent, and Mrs. Kajihara for letting me, Eric, and Leesh spend a wonderful morning with you! And, also thanks to the sunshine, calm waters, and all of the sea turtles that surrounded us when we were out. 

I always enjoy doing any activity with friends, and I must say, I really feed off the wonderful energy created when spending time with a friend doing an activity they enjoy.  

Leesh gets ready to go out

I make my way out - Lynn is right beside me!

Eric smiling after a great ride!

Family

Every January 1st, in addition to ringing in a New Year, our family is lucky to celebrate Aliya's birthday. 

While the gathering spanned many families, we were all one family - Aliya's family - today. Mom, dad, sister, aunties, uncles, cousins, grandmas, great grandmas, and more aunties and more uncles joined the celebration that was fit for a bright, beautiful 4-year-old. 

And the service for Aliya and one another was abundant. Everyone contributed to make this the perfect party. The house was cleaned, kept, and ready to host, the table was full of family-favorite dishes that everyone contributed, and Aliya had presents that she loved. One after another after another she opened them and gasped with excitement for her new toys.

Most of all, everyone took time out of their busy holiday season to come together to celebrate Aliya. We enjoyed one another's company, tag-teamed playing with the youngsters, shared in good conversation, and had many, many laughs.

Thanks to everyone who came out, not only to celebrate Aliya, but to also define the meaning of family: a diverse group of individuals who care for and serve one another, connected by a common bond - love.

Happy birthday, Aliya! Love, your family.

Wacky Wednesday

By Janice Sakuma, 365 Days of Service, Kula Chapter

Wacky Wednesday.

That is the name of a story my grandaughter loves. We have read it more than 50 times (I kid you not!) and each time she loves looking for wacky things. A portrait of George Washington, for example, labeled Abraham Lincoln. (While she does recognize O - BA - MA from watching the many political rallies, inaugarations and celebrations as a 2 year old, her only point of reference to George Washington is that we have pointed out that wacky label in the past.) Or a worm chasing a bird. Or a bunch of bananas growing on an apple tree.

Last Wednesday, was Wacky for me.

On Tuesday, the evening before, anticipating a hectic day including providing supervisory visits for staff, visits with patients AND a bed delivery, I phoned our blood bank to ask if my early Wednesday appt. could be changed to Friday, 12/24th, Christmas eve. While it was a last minute change, I was banking my request on knowledge that the Blood Bank was actively recruiting donors for that day. The kind person said "Sure" and rebooked for a not quite as early time on Friday.

On Wednesday, at 8:15, an employee from the delivery service called to say that the new bed we had scheduled for delivery was not available. The delivery service called. Not the store that sold us the bed. The delivery service. Being very sensitive to not wanting to give grief to the messenger (it's the holiday season!), I thanked him kindly for the information and told him that the store would update him on our plans.

Less than 10 minutes later, while still trying to process the information of the unavailable bed, the Blood Bank called. "We were just-wondering if you would still be able to donate blood..." Well, tho the appt. was changed, I still appeared to  be a "no-show." Hmmm, my morning just opened up a bit - would they prefer I come "right now?" Yes please was the reply, so off I went to donate blood.

To those familiar with the process, I pride myself in having a rather quick donating time. Once they stick me, usually in about 10 minutes, the bag is full of blood and I happily continue on to a donut and beverage.  10 minutes became 15 became 20. Several people glanced my way, but no one seemed concerned. 20 minutes later, a tech came back and tried to reposition the catheter. Apparently, my blood flow had stopped. They thanked me for the effort, and informed me that because the quantity of the blood was less than a full bag, they would not be able to process and dispense my donation to a needy patient.

Well, to perk myself up, I went to pick up another present that had been ordered for delivery the day before. We're sorry, they said ... try back tomorrow.. we hope it will be in by then!

Having left that shop, I realized that I no longer was carrying my umbrella. Back tracked my steps. Felt a sense of relief when the local security person said "I just saw it!" and walked me back to the location I felt it was left at, only to come up empty handed.

So -
NO bed delivery.
NO blood.
NO Christmas gift.
LOST umbrella
And all of this occured before lunch!  AAArrrgh! What a Wacky Wednesday! I should just go back to bed!

At the end of the day, I picked my husband up from the airport, and recanted my day as if I hadn't been sending text messages to him all day as the events unfolded. I stopped, after using up my words, and asked. "How was your day honey?"

"I was hit by lightning ..." he said. Well technically the airplane he was in was hit. Modern technology and an experienced crew allowed for a safe completion of his flight. Anxious moments however were plenty. Wow. He wins. His day was worse! My day consisted of only minor inconveniences and a bruised ego.

So the story continues  "Don't be sorry," ... "It's that kind of a day. But be glad! Wacky Wednesday will soon go away!"

The important things in life is the health, safety and happiness of our family and friends.

Happy New Year to you and yours!